Problem Clinic: Wood, Vinyl, and Aluminum Siding

UNDERSTAND THE MATERIALS YOU’RE USING IF YOU WANT TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE

PROBLEM CLINIC:
WOOD, VINYL, AND ALUMINUM
SIDING
BY
PAUL COVE
UNDERSTAND THE MATERIALS YOU'RE
USING
IF YOU WANT TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE
When riding around New England
we see houses with wood siding that has
stood up to the elements for over 50
years (Figure 1). We also see new houses
with wood siding that has failed in less
than five years (Figure 2). We see many
houses, old and new, that have been resided
with other materials that have
also failed. This article will discuss why
some siding applications have such
short lives, and how to prevent these
premature failures.
Wood Siding
People often say they like wood siding
because it is a natural building material.
My reply is